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Turbine blade and method of fabricating the same

a technology of turbine blades and blades, which is applied in the direction of mechanical equipment, machines/engines, transportation and packaging, etc., can solve the problems of undesirable levels of complexity and expense, inconvenient and costly transportation of large blades from the place of making to the place of assembly,

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-02-22
GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Shipment of a large blade from where it was made to where it will be assembled is inconvenient and costly.
However, conventional methods for addressing this need often result in undesirable levels of complexity and expense.

Method used

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  • Turbine blade and method of fabricating the same
  • Turbine blade and method of fabricating the same
  • Turbine blade and method of fabricating the same

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0015]As discussed in detail below, embodiments of the present invention include turbine blades and methods for fabricating turbine blades. As used herein, the term “turbine blades” refers to blades used in various applications such as, but not limited to, wind turbines and aircraft systems.

[0016]As used herein, singular forms such as “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, although a two-segment blade is shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, more segments may be included if desired.

[0017]FIGS. 1-7 show embodiments of the invention used in a wind turbine system 10. Referring to FIG. 1, wind turbine system 10 includes a rotor 14 and several blades 12. Each blade 12 includes at least first and second blade segments 16 and 18. As used herein after, the term “outboard” means farther from rotor 14, and “inboard” means closer to rotor 14. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, first blade segment 16 is an inboard b...

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Abstract

A turbine blade includes at least two blade segments. Each blade segment includes first and second shells joined together, a base region, at least one joint region including a mating face. Each of the first and second shells includes an outer skin, a base spar cap attached to an inner surface of the outer skin in the base region, a joint spar cap attached to the inner surface of the outer skin in the joint region and adjacent to at least a portion of the base spar cap. The joint spar cap includes holes in the mating face of the joint region. The turbine blade further includes fasteners within the holes for securing the at least two blade segments together.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]The invention relates generally to turbine blades, and, more particularly, to multiple-piece turbine blades and methods of fabricating the turbine blades.[0002]Turbine blades such as those used for wind turbines usually have large sizes. Shipment of a large blade from where it was made to where it will be assembled is inconvenient and costly.[0003]There is a need in the art to ship the turbine blades in segments and then join the segments together at a remote assembly location. However, conventional methods for addressing this need often result in undesirable levels of complexity and expense. Accordingly, an improved joint system and a corresponding method are needed to address one or more of the foregoing issues.BRIEF DESCRIPTION[0004]In accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein, a turbine blade is provided. The turbine blade includes at least two blade segments. Each blade segment includes first and second shells joined together, a base region, at least one jo...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B64C11/20
CPCF03D1/0675F03D1/0683Y10T29/49337F05B2240/302Y02E10/721F05B2240/30Y02E10/72
Inventor CHEN, XIANGLEIBAEHMANN, PEGGY LYNNLIN, WENDY WEN-LINGZHOU, YOUDONGQUEK, SHU CHINGPRAVEEN, GRAMA NARASIMHAPRASADKIRKPATRICK, BOWDENZIRIN, ROBERT MICHAELQIAN, GANG
Owner GENERAL ELECTRIC CO